The ninth international meeting served as a formal progress review for the National Action Plans. Each national group presented the current structure of its document, the recommendations already completed and the areas still requiring research, consultation or revision.
Participants checked whether the plans reflected the issues identified throughout the project, including low trust in institutions, weak civic education, limited youth influence, unequal access to participation and insufficient cooperation between sectors. They also reviewed whether the recommendations addressed both formal participation, such as councils and consultations, and informal participation through volunteering, campaigns, community initiatives and digital action.
International feedback focused on consistency and usability. The groups examined whether the problem analysis clearly led to the proposed actions, whether the recommendations were realistic and whether the indicators could demonstrate progress.
Participants also discussed the importance of naming potential implementing bodies and identifying ways to involve young people in monitoring the plans after publication.
The meeting included a discussion on long-term impact. Participants considered how the Action Plans could remain relevant beyond the project period, how youth organisations could use them in advocacy and how they could support future cooperation with municipalities, ministries, schools, universities and other stakeholders. They agreed that dissemination should be connected with follow-up dialogue rather than limited to publishing the documents online.
The review confirmed significant progress and gave each team a clear list of final tasks. It also reinforced collective responsibility for the quality of the project outcomes, since every national plan contributes to the credibility and strength of the common European recommendations.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Youth4Values – Youth for Democracy and Values project was created to support young people in becoming more active, informed, and engaged citizens in their local communities. The project focused on strengthening democratic values, active citizenship, youth participation, human rights, inclusion, and the connection between young people and decision-making processes.
In many European communities, young people still do not have enough space to express their opinions, participate in public life, or influence decisions that affect their everyday lives. This is especially visible among young people with fewer opportunities, who often face additional barriers such as limited access to information, lack of support, social exclusion, economic difficulties, or low trust in institutions.
Youth4Values responded to these needs by creating practical opportunities for young people to learn, discuss, act, and connect. The project did not focus only on theory. It encouraged young people to understand democracy through real experiences, local engagement, peer learning, dialogue, workshops, campaigns, and direct participation in community activities.
The project was implemented by partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Montenegro, and Spain, bringing together different realities, experiences, and approaches to youth participation. This international cooperation helped partners exchange good practices, compare challenges in their countries, and develop local activities that were adapted to the real needs of young people in each community.
A strong part of the project was its focus on non-formal education. Through interactive activities, participants had the opportunity to develop critical thinking, communication, teamwork, civic awareness, and a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens. The project also promoted the importance of youth organisations as spaces where young people can practice democracy, build confidence, and take active roles in society.
According to the project application, Youth4Values aimed to enhance democratic governance and the rule of law by promoting civic education, active citizenship, and youth empowerment. It also focused on connecting democracy with human rights, inclusion, and meaningful participation in decision-making processes.